Conduit cap



Nov. 22, 1932. w. H. VIBBER 1,

CONDUIT CAP Filed May 11, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l ($2 Willllllllillfi Illl\lij W. H. VIBBER Nov. 22, 1932.

GONDUIT GAP Filed May 11, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 22, 1932PATENT OFFICE WHEELER H. VIBBER, OF NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT CONDUIT CAPApplication filed May 11, 1928.

My invention relates to an improved conduitcap for electricinstallations, the object being to provide a simple, convenient, sturdyconduit-cap constructed with partlc- .5 ularreference to producing afixture adapted to be applied to-or removed from a conduit after thecables have been passed therethrough, without the necessity ofsevering-or disconnecting such cables.

. With these-ends in view, my inventionconsistsin a conduit-capcharacterized by having a two-part separable mounting-plate, whereby theplate may be applied to or removed from a conduit through which thecables have 1. already been passed without severing the same.

My invention further consists in a conduit-cap having a two-partseparable mounting-plate, one part of which is formed with 2. aninstallation-slot, whereby the plate may be applied to or removed from aconduit through which the cables have already been passed withoutsevering the same.

My invention further consists in a conduit- 3 cap characterized asdescribed and having certain details of construction as will behereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

39 Fig. 1 is a view-inside elevation of one form which a conduit-cap,constructed in accordance with my invention, may assume, the cap beingshown as applied to a conduit;

Fig. 2 is asimilar rear view thereof;

,5 Fig. 8 is an underside view thereof, with the conduit shown insect-ion Fig. 4 is anenlarged-scale view of the cap in verticallongitudinal section on the line H of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged-scale view in transverse section on the line 55 ofFig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is atop view of the main mountingplate member;

Serial No. 277,068.

Fig. 8 is a detached front view ofthe same;

Fig. 9 is a detached perspective view of the clamping-member of theseparable two-part mounting-plate; and

Fig. 10 is a view corresponding to Fig. 3 5o but showing a modifiedformof my improved separable two-part mounting-plate.

In carrying out my invention as herein shown, the main mounting-platemember is formed at its rearend with a centrally- 55 located upstandingrounded mounting-lug 16 preferably formed with a transverse perforation17 for the reception of the lag-screw 18 by means of which the cap as aunitary fixture and the conduit 19 are anchored to an 60 adjacent wall20 or other equivalent external support, such as apole. The saidmountinglug corresponds in shape andsize to a clearance-notch 21 formedin the lower edge of the rounded rear face or wall of the dome-like 5hood 22 ofthe fixture. When the hood is set over the plate, theedge ofthe said notch rests directly upon the edge of the lug forming aweather-joint, while an integral guard-fiange 23, projectingbeyond theinner face ofthelug 7D overlaps the notch 22 from within the hood andsubstantially prevents the weather from entering the fixture by fittingagainst the inner face of the hoodaround the notch therein. A roundedledge 24, formed on the inside 5 of the lug at the base thereof andhighest at its central portion deflectsany water thatmay enter theconduit through the perforation 17 in the lug, upon either side of theinwardlyoverhanging U-shaped lip 25 standing above the vertical socket26formed in the said main mounting-plate member 15 forthe reception of theconduit 19 upon the upper edge of which the said lip rests.

Under the construction described, the hood may be readily applied to-andremoved from the mounting-plate without disturbing the same or thelag-screw '18, by means of which the fixture as a unit is anchored tosome adjacent object, as already described.

To adapt my improved conduit-cap 15 to be applied to or removed from aconduit through which the cables have already been passed and from whichthey emerge, I form the said main mounting-plate member 15 with aclearance-slot 27 intersecting the socket 26 and normally closed by atongue 28 projecting forwardly from the secondary or clamping member 29of the two-part separable plate, the said member 29 being formed with asegmental inwardly-overhanging lip 30 substantially completing thecircle of the lip 25. The said clamping-member 29 is provided at itsends with outstanding arms 31 perforated as at 32 for the passage ofclamping-screws 33 which enter threaded bores 34 formed inoppositelyextending lugs 35 located at the opposite ends of an integralsegmental clamping-collar 36 depending from the lower face of themounting-plate and complementing the curve of the clamping-member 29,the said collar forming part of the socket 26 before mentioned. Thecurvature of the said collar 36 and of the central portion of theclamping-member 29 and the length of the clamping-screws 33 provide fora considerable range of variation in the diameter of the conduit 19 uponwhich the fixture may be mounted. The inner face of the saidclamping-member 29 is provided with the usual serrations 37 for grippingthe conduit. The main mounting-plate 15 and the clamping-member 29thereof form, in effect, a separable two-part mounting-plate.

At its forward end the'main mountingplate member 15 is provided with alarge rectangular notch 38 centrally intersectedby the installation-slot28 aforesaid and flanked by parallel corresponding arms 39 which receivebetween them and support the two halves 40 and 41 of the porcelaininsulator. The said halves of the insulator are formed upon theiradjacent edges with semi-circular notches 42 which, when the parts areassembled, form circular passages for the cables. The edges of the .saidinsulator halves: are grooved as at 43 to adapt them to receive theadjacent edges of the rectangular notch 38 in the usual manner of suchfixtures.

For securing the hood 23 in place, it is formed at opposite points inits side walls with bosses 44 mounting upwardly and in wardlyinclinedbinding-screws 45 which engage inclined walls 46 at the upperends of recesses 47 in the side walls of the mountingplate member 15, asshown in Fig. 6.

In the modified construction shown by Fig. 10, the mounting-plate ismade in two sep rable parts 48 and 49 each formed with integralclamping-flanges 50 and 51 respective ly having extended ends for thereception of clamping-screws 52. The main member of the plate, that is,the part 48 thereof, is formed at its forward end with a largerectangular notch 53 corresponding to the notch 38 aforesaid for thereception of the two-part insulasecting the same, and a secondary orclamp ing-member having a conduit-receiving socket elementico-actingwith the complementary feature of thesaid main member to grip theconduit and also having a forwardly-extending tongue fitting into thesaid slot to form a closure therefor, and a hood fitting over the saidtwo-part separable mounting-plate to A which it may be applied orremoved after the installation thereof upon the conduit.

2. In a conduit-cap forelectrical installations, the combination with'atwo-part separable mounting-plate comprising a main mounting-memberhaving a conduit-receiving socket element, an insulator-receiving notch,and an installation-slot leading from the said notch into the saidsocket element, and a secondary or clamping-member normally closing thesaid installation-slot, and a hood fitting over the said two-partseparable mounting-plate to which it may be applied or removed after theinstallation thereof upon the conduit.

3. In a conduit-cap fixture for electrical installations, thecombination with a two-part separable mounting-plate, the two parts ofwhich are respectively provided with complementary socket-elementstogether forming a separable socket for the reception of the end of aconduit and one of the said parts having an installationslot; of atwo-part separable insulating member carried by one part of the saidtwo-part mounting-plate and a hood covering the said two-partmounting-plate and the said twopart insulating member and formedindependently thereof; whereby the fixture may be applied to or removedfrom a conduit after the wires have been installed therein.

4. In a conduit-cap fixture for electrical installations, thecombination with a two-part separable mountingplate, the two parts ofwhich are respectively provided withcomplerable insulating membercarried by one part 130 of the said two-part mounting-plate; and a hoodcovering the said two-part mountingplate and the said two-partinsulating mem her and formed independently thereof; u whereby thefixture may be applied to or re moved from a conduit after the wireshave been installed therein.

In testimony whereof, I have signed this 0 specification.

WHEELER H. VIBBER

